Read Online Newbie by Jo Noelle - Free Book Online

be making a big deal out of it. Not talking about flowers. I could ask about the kids that play soccer at recess with him. But then that would mean I’m watching him at recess. Would it sound like I’m a stalker?
    As we near my room, Mr. Sam is packing out his carpet cleaner. “Thanks so much,” I say in passing. Liam looks at the carpet machine, then at me, his eyebrows lift as he smiles. But since he didn’t witness my potentially embarrassing situation this time, I’m not confessing anything.
    Liam starts, “I’ve been wanting to ask you out.”
    Ooh, ask, ask.
    “I wondered if you want to go to dinner. . .”
    Eeeeee.
    “. . .with me on Saturday?”
    YES! “Sure.” Wait—was he done asking?
    “I’ll pick you up at six?”
    “Six. ’Kay, see you then.” My pulse races.
    “I might need to know where you live, or I’ll have to peek in your personnel file.” His lips quirked upward, teasing me.
    “Oh. Here’s my address.” I write it on a sticky note and hand it to him.
    “Wear something casual,” he suggests.
    I pull the sticky note from his hand, write my phone number on it, then hand it back. “In case…you need to call for directions.” Or call me any other time. Just call.
    He nods. “Bye.”
    “See ya.” I turn away from the door as Liam disappears and pump my fists straight up. “Yesssss!”
    “Um, we’ll be driving go-karts. Is that okay?” he asks, peeking back around the doorway.
    I quickly adjust my arms to pretend I’m stretching. His eyes are bright and there’s that deep smile he wears constantly on the playground. Nope, didn’t fool him. “I can learn,” I say. He gives a little tap on the doorjamb and is gone.
    __________________________________
    Subject: a little news?
    Fri. Sept. 7, 200711:20 AM
     
    hi sophie,
     
    what’s happening??????? is my class alright?????? how is the sub??????
     
    :) beth
    __________________________________
    __________________________________
    Subject: RE: a little news?
    Fri. Sept., 7, 200711:43 AM
     
    Hey Beth,
     
    Why do short weeks feel long? It’s only been 3 ½ days, but it feels like 8. I think your sub is doing fine. I’ll check with her after school today and call you.
     
    At least there haven’t been any emergencies in your room. My room—now that’s another story. Peed pants, carpet cleaner. I was kind of hoping Liam would be your sub, right across the hall, but he was already promised to some of the other teachers for meetings they plan to attend—rats! He’s not even in this hallway.
     
    Oh—but he asked me out! *Swoon* I wanted to run across the hall to tell you. Go-karts and dinner. I’ll update you later.
     
    Sophie
    __________________________________
     
    Friday flies—math, reading, poems, social studies, lunch, read aloud, writing, phonics, PE, comprehension, spelling test, clean up, class meeting, dismiss. The only blip on the screen is talking to Mrs. Gregg after school to let her know Sean had a hard time in PE today. We were playing tag games and he wouldn’t follow the rules; like when you get tagged, you freeze and wait for your team to unfreeze you. He wouldn’t. Or even the rule that we don’t punch each other. He did, twice.
    Mrs. Gregg listens quietly, then smiles at me like she is blowing me off. She takes Sean’s hand and walks away, saying, “Don’t worry dear. She’s not your mother.”
    What? You said what to him? How about—it’s important to follow the rules. Or—when we follow rules we respect people. Or even—you won’t have friends if you punch people during tag. Or anything else! Un. Real.
     
    September 8, 2007
    Newbie Blog:
     
    This is HARD, With a Perk
     
    My volunteer mentor has been out this week, and I’ve missed her! Really, it’s best for her to stay home for a while. I’m proud I’ve been able to hold my class together and teach lessons, but it’s hard to find time to plan new lessons.
     
    Two more things I’ve learned:
     
    1. You’re on your own. You can